Warning - Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past is an intense thriller intended for mature audiences.

Big Fish Editor's Choice! This title was selected for its exceptional quality and overwhelmingly positive reviews from our Game Club beta testers.

Mad Head Games proudly presents the newest addition to the Shadowplay series!

As preparations for a new exhibit come to a close, you look forward to some well-earned quality time with your daughter. Your pleasant evening quickly takes a dark turn when an artifact is stolen and a dark energy kidnaps your daughter! Do you have what it takes to track down the thief and save your daughter in time? Find out in this thrilling hidden-object puzzle adventure game!

See what our Beta testers had to say:

“All I can say is WOW! This game is one of the best I've played in awhile. The graphics, sound, puzzles and story were awesome!” - Brandon, beta tester

“Great game! The puzzles were refreshing and hidden object scenes were interesting and relevant to the story line. Kudos for something new!” - Megan, beta tester

Like mother, like daughter! You'll dig helping Maya in the bonus game!

Customer Reviews

Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past Collector's Edition is rated
3.7 out of
5 by
27.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
lamp_post from
MAD HEAD IS DEFINITELY THE NO.1 DEVS!!!This game has it all. The story line pulls you in at the very beginning and does not let you go. The graphics are excellent.The puzzles are unique. How do they keep coming up with new ideas? I love their mazes!!!! Kudos to their entire team.
A definite buy for everyone!

Date published: 2017-08-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
stagriff from
Amazing Game!!!!Wow! I'm only in the first chapter, but so far, this is one of the greatest games I've ever played...and I've played a lot! The graphics are amazing, first of all. The music is subtle and not annoying. I don't pay too much attention to the storylines, so I can't comment on that. There are lots of little games and puzzles that are fun, challenging, and unique. But what I like the most was the challenge factor. It is quite difficult, which I love!! If you are wanting a relaxing, mindless game, this is not for you. I also love the morphing objects and other objects to find in the CE. I usually play the game through without worrying about finding objects in each scene, then I go back and play the game again finding all the objects. Another great game, Mad Head!! Would love to see more games like this!!

Date published: 2017-08-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
rainworm from
A thrilling experience!With this second installment of Shadowplay, we have an intriguing adventure, that challenges us in our real world as well as in a bizarre dimension, reminding me of the worlds of H.P. Lovecraft. In certain respect two-dimensional: first an adventure of a woman, freeing her daughter in the real world as well as in a strange ‘outer’ world. The Shadow from the first game is back, hidden in the ancient skull.
Creative HO scenes and varied puzzles are well embedded in this fast paced game. The cutscenes enhance the overall suspense of the story.
Reactions to the game are quite controversal. There are those, who love the return of the shadow monster, others complain just about that. Though otherwise creative/innovative, there is a cliché means (a lost zipper pull) used, that found negative response as well.
Here a short summary of the game:
The mystery begins with the excavation of the skull of darkness and progresses, when it is stolen from the musem. First just a green glowing of the empty eyes, then bursting in the hands of the thief in the museum and opening a portal into a dark dimension - thereby drawing Maya, the curators daughter into the other world. Alicia, the curator, sets off for the hunt after the skull. Impressing cut scenes show Maya, apparently imprisoned somewhere behind a curtain between this and another world. But the burglar has not stolen the artifact for her own but on behalf of a mysterious stranger. In our next station, a cinema, he takes it, shoots the burglar girl, then another shot grazes Alicia. To regain the skull, she has to help the girl. She finally gives Alicia the information on the stranger, it is Edgar, whose story we learn by storybook puzzles. All of it started with two men seeking for power, knowledge and rich, one of them Edgar, who’d been the nobler ot the two then, now seeking for revenge. After finding more clues and means at her next station, an abandoned shopping mall, she finally reaches a mansion, where the other man has settled. Edgar is already there and in the act of killing his former companion. Alicia can stop him releasing the skull’s evil powers, though too late for the other man. He‘s dying but can hand Alicia an additional part of her amulet. Using it, the skull bursts again and opens a portal into a strange landscape, abandoned and decayed. Here she will free her daughter and finally go after Edgar and win a last battle against him.
The bonus game will be an extension of the main game, fun to play but not necessary to enjoy Shadowplay: Whispers of the Past.

Date published: 2017-08-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Dazzleceil from
Wow-what a gameOver the years with Big Fish I have played many games, however, this one stands above all the others. It was challenging, different and fun. I highly recommend this game and plan on playing it again . So many are so similar in story and hops, but this keeps you on your toes.

Date published: 2017-08-03

Rated 5 out of
5 by
skullfun from
~~~MAD HEAD DELIVERS A GREAT PSYCOLOGICAL THRILLER!~~~Mad Head Games delivers the second installment in the mystical series "Shadowplay". This is the follow up to Shadowplay: Darkness Incarnate released in 2016. This latest edition "Shadowplay 2: Whispers of the Past" will give players the opportunity to chat with Alicia Cole - historian, museum employee and happy mother of the charming girl Maya. Subsequently, it will help to find out that not all archeological finds can be safely and impeccably displayed for public viewing. Some things should not be scooped out of the depths of the earth and history, but, on the contrary, buried as deeply as possible, because then it would be possible to avoid a whole heap of problems. We discover about this one from the second part of the "Shadowplay" series. It will start with theft in the museum, kidnapping a person, and it where it will end is not known at all ... but if you play "Shadowplay 2: Whispers of the Past" in it's entirety you'll be able to find out the end of this crazy and fascinating story. The storyline really kicks in after demo-play. Step into the shadows and discover what they hide as the stakes get higher and higher in this frightening new addition to the horror series!!! Worthy of Editor's Choice and a must-buy for me. Cheers!

Date published: 2017-07-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Innerl from
Excellent game in the series...I really have to wonder if people submit reviews to just pull down a game's rating. No other explanation for the 2 and 3* reviews for this game. Excellent game, graphics, storyline, as you'd expect from Mad Head. I'd agree with one reviewer that the "warnings" for this game about it being so intense, etc, are not warranted. But other than that, no reasonable way someone could give this game a bad/mediocre review.

Date published: 2017-07-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
jane_eb_1952 from
To Each Their Own - Awesome Game!From the beginning of this demo, til the end of the demo, this is an awesome game. The fun factor was off the charts for me. The visual and sound quality was superb. The level of challenge was just right for me, and the storyline was more than intriguing. I was totally captivated with the game. The evil stranger has no qualms in shooting his targets. This game is filled with suspense, obstacles, and fitting challenges. The hidden objects has a new interesting twist to them, the puzzles were very creative. This game is a step up from the rest!!! I cannot wait to purchase this game to see what else is thrown in my way while trying to rescue the character's daughter. Hidden object game lovers will love this game!!! Great Game... Thanks Big Fish.

Date published: 2017-07-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
mandms33 from
OUTSTANDING TONGUE IN CHEEK ADVENTURE AS MUSEUM CURATOR TRIES TO RESCUE HER DAUGHTERWow! This grabbed me from the beginning scene. I love these types of games that keep you on the edge of your seat and begging for the demo NOT to end. This is a great game, fun, fun, fun, and challenging with excellent graphics and sound that keeps you wanting more. The storyline is a little tired, but I love the museum with artifacts to replace and the whole concept when the museum curator's daughter is taken by some evil force and she must find her before it's too late. Too late, for what who knows, but the build up is very well done. I highly recommend this game. I will be purchasing this one. Thanks, Mia. :)

Date published: 2017-07-27

Rated 5 out of
5 by
pennmom36 from
THE SKULL OF DARKNESSMad Head games must have some of the brightest, most creative team members available. They don't throw out a game every month with the same boring storyline hashed over and over, they don't throw a pile of junk in the corner to make a Hidden Object Scene, and they certainly don't present the same puzzles we've done a hundred different times in a hundred different ways. These guys pour their heart and soul into each and every game, the quality is 100 % across the board, the sights, the sounds, the story, it's all here folks, everything you could ask for in a game.
Alicia Cole is a museum curator who finds herself the victim of a botched robbery, while working late. Her daughter Maya, was in the wrong place at the wrong time, when the thief accidentally drops the Skull of Darkness. The hard shell casing cracks, exposing the dangerous artifact, and Maya is swept away through it's evil portal, to a world beyond light itself, where only the shadows dare to play!
Equipped with only a Mystical Lens, Alicia will have to find a way to thwart the thieves, and use the Skull of Darkness to enter a world where K'tal delved further than anyone ever dared, in his relentless pursuit of ultimate power. In this Collector's Edition version, there are 36 Collectible icons, and they are fantastically blended into each scene, unlike some games where you can't help but see them. There are also 17 Morphing Objects within each HOP.
The Hidden Object Scenes are by far the most creative and entertaining scenes I've ever seen! Although the concepts are the same, the scenes are not. My favorite's were finding Silhouetted Shapes on three different fossil walls in the museum during an interactive tour, and finding Listed items cleverly blended on three different movie posters. Each HOP has a Morphing Object available in this CE version.
The Mini Games are unusual, and very creative. Below are brief descriptions of some of the games you'll encounter during the demo:
1) Move the Knights in an L formation to their color coded spots.
2) Create a platform for the yellow hexagon to exit, by crossing over the exact number of symbols as indicated on the clue.
3) Open the safe using the clue you find.
4) Use the mystical lens to destroy the evil shadows, align the circles over the target and click when the two circles overlap.
5) Lead the glowing orb from point A to B by clicking on points of the path until they create a path.
6) Recreate the picture by swapping tiles using the frame as a clue.
7) Steer the car by clicking on the correct moving directional arrow when it aligns with the arrow in the box.
8) Choose the correct item related to the riddle.
9) Move parts of the picture to match the painting.
10) Select the correct images according to the clue.
11) Move the tiles to the opposite sides of the board, tiles can jump one another.
SHADOWPLAY GAMES AVAILABLE
Title***Collector's Edition Release Date***Average Rating
-Shadowplay: Darkness Incarnate (8-20-16) 4.0
This Collector's Edition has wallpapers, Concept Art pictures, 17 replayable Hidden Object Scenes, 11 Achievements to earn, 6 Music Soundtracks, 17 Morphing Objects within the HOP's, a Showcase, replayable Code Puzzles, 36 Collectible Hidden Icons, a built in Strategy Guide and a built in Strategy Guide and a Bonus Chapter, enjoy!

Date published: 2017-07-27

Rated 5 out of
5 by
sunnyglow from
MAD HEAD REANIMATES ITSELF WITH AN EXCITING 5-STAR PLUS GAME5 Chapters plus a Bonus chapter: Strategy Guide: 45 Pages
OVERVIEW: Looking for something to reanimate your life? This may be the game for you! A BIG THANK YOU to BFG for providing this long-awaited game! It is Mom to the rescue! Join Alice Hale, anthropologist at a museum where the arrival of the Skull of Darkness is putting some new life in that stuffy old building full of ancient artifacts, including some old bones of a Tyrannosaurus rex. The arrival of the skull has unleased “The Shadows”, a dark energy which can activate inanimate objects and is now causing havoc at the museum, including activating that dinosaur. When the skull is stolen, it becomes personal for Alice, when her daughter, Maya, is kidnapped by these dark entities. Now, she is off to take on this dark menace, rescue her daughter and retrieve the skull.
This is truly my idea of an “Editor’s Choice” game. I LOVE this thrilling, action-packed game! The pace is excellent! This game demonstrates the ingenuity and creativity of this developer. From the helpful selfie sticks (which have other uses than taking pictures) to the greasy, long-haired artist, a relic from the 1960’s, this game has some tongue-in-cheek humor as well. The graphics are rather campy and cartoon-like. You collect tokens. You are given a gimmicky magical lens to fight off those nasty dark critters infiltrating the game. This was an automatic purchase for me.
HOP SCENES: They are varied and creatively designed. In one scene, you open drawers to locate items which are placed back into the scene. Rock on fossils! Following that scene, you go back-and-forth between three scenes to locate fossils on a rock. A comical scene involves a truly clueless “art nouveau” type who asks you some cryptic questions and then you locate items to answer those questions. There is also a list of items and storybook scene.
PUZZLES: The puzzles vary in type and difficulty. There are a couple of challenging ones within this game. There is a chess puzzle which involves switching black knights with white knights on a chess board. There is a challenging maze puzzle in which you create a path from left to right jumping over four symbols by exact number count. There is another “a-maze-ing” puzzle which is a little less challenging involving moving an orb of light through rotating triangles. There is a switch puzzle using tangram pieces, a get-a-way chase puzzle, and a spot-the differences puzzle.
LEVELS: Enthusiast, Archaeologist, Conservator, Lecturer, Curator
Hints and Skips: 15 to 90 seconds
EXTRAS:
Map is given to you at the beginning of the game.
You get a magical lens.
11 Achievements – Some have 3 parts.
Collect 36 Tokens, 19 Morphing objects (within HOP scenes) and 8 Treasures
Replay HOP scenes and puzzles
4 Wallpapers, Concept Art, Soundtrack, Code Puzzle, Showcase
HERE ARE THE DETAILS (SPOILERS) FOR THOSE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOP SCENES AND PUZZLES IN SEQUENCE
HOP SCENES:
A. Silhouette. Open several drawers to locate items which are placed back into a display case. Very creative.
B. Silhouette. Find fossils on a rock which is NOT easy. You must go back-and-forth between three scenes.
C. Cryptic clues. So creative. Meet a creepy, long-haired remnant of the “art nouveau” set and get him to help you. Answer some cryptic clues as you watch him paint some worthless piece of art.
D. List of items. So creative. Find items on a rolling screen of posters. Very creative.
E. List of items.
F. Storybook. Look for items in a storybook setting.
PUZZLES: (1) Easy 2) Moderate difficulty (3) Difficult
“Zap-The-Nasties” puzzle! You will need to fight off those dark little critters of nastiness. Use your Magical lens. You must click on the orb when two rings unite.
A. Chess puzzle. Switch the positions of black knights with white knights on a chess board. Rating: 3
B. Maze puzzle. A little toughie which requires you to create a path from left to right by crossing over the exact number of four (4) symbols which are given. Rating: 3
C. Safe puzzle. Unlock a safe using a given code. Rating: 1
D. Maze puzzle. Move an orb of light through a grid with triangles with paths which rotate when you land within the triangle. Go back-and-forth through the rotating triangles until you reach the end. Rating: 2
E. Switch puzzle. Switch tangram pieces (they readjust to fit the location) until you recreate a picture. Rating: 2
F. Matching/Physical puzzle. Get away (literally) in a car chase by clicking on a matching up arrows trekking down the road. 3X Rating: 2
G. Spot the differences puzzle. In this case, move 8 elements within a poster to match up with those on another poster. Rating: 2
H. Matching puzzle. Enter a given code to open a cash register. Rating: 1
I. Switch puzzle. Switch colored tokens of two different colors so that they are on opposite sides. Rating: 2